Wednesday, 29 August 2012

Raid...A first battle

Bank Holiday Monday saw the first game of Muskets and Tomahawks in the shed. It was all a bit of a rush over the weekend to get things ready including...thanks guys...

The basing of over 50 trees on metal washers (bases still need to be painted), construction of three log cabins (still work in progress) and rushing through several figures for the game.

some panoramic shots which just about capture North East America

By 6pm the table was laid and the forces determined. I decided quite early on that the first game would be very simplistic with a straightforward Indian raid on the homestead across the stream. Each force had approximately 360 points but I am not entirely sure if the points system is truly reflective of the units presence (more on this later)

The Forces

The French force had 5 Indian Warbands ( each consisted of 6 warriors – 3 with muskets, 1 with bows and the final armed with rifles). Two Sachems (Indian chiefs accompanied the natives). In addition the Indians had one unit of Canadian Militia (7 troops armed with muskets) and accompanying officer. Total 37 Troops + 3 Officers

Indians advancing through scrub land

The brave provincial defenders

In opposition and defending the stead were a unit of 8 Provincials armed with muskets, and two units of Rangers( Rifle armed marksmen) – The Rangers had one officer. Off table and representing about 40% of the British points were two units of regular musket armed infantry (8 men apiece) with two officers. These guys eventually turned up to deliver one very powerful volley! Total 39 Troops

Even though the points came out equal (give or take a 15) the British Force appeared much stronger – must check the maths.

The Rules

For those of you unfamiliar with the Musket & Tomahawk rules they are a fast paced, card driven skirmish rule set for the French Indian wars of the mid 18th century. Each unit typically consisting of between 6-8 figures is classified by it type (eg Regulars, Irregulars, Indians and Militia/Provincials). Depending upon the troops on the table the appropriate cards are shuffled into the deck. A turn finished when all the cards are turned over. When a card is turned over that force displayed may perform an action with all those troop types shown (move, fire, reload etc). Most units get four action cards in the deck so it is possible but unlikely that one side could move all of its units before the opposition get to go. Significantly regular troops get only two cards but they get two actions per card – so they could fire and reload at the same time. This reflects the disciplined nature of these troops. In addition an officers card allows a unit within 6 inches to perform an extra action.

Prior to shooting, units must ‘spot’ their targets. The distance from firer to target is measured and compared against a table based on the target’s status (its much easier to spot folks in the open, those that have fired etc.)

Combat is dice driven with scores to hit driven by the units shooting prowess and other modifiers (eg range, cover, rifles etc). If a unit is hit, a dice is rolled for a lethal kill (depending on weapon/nature of cover). If a unit suffers a kill an immediate reaction/morale roll is made with the effects played instantly. In our game units were typically driven back losing their following actions.

Melee is chaotic with each figure participating dicing for hits and saves against their combat and defence scores (Indians are very capable in close quarters) – the winner (determined by the unit with fewest casualties) forces the loser to make a reaction roll.

The game

The Canadian Militia

In turn one the Indian Warbands, supported by a unit of Canadian militia poured into the little valley from the south. Rapidly they moved forward crossing the little stream. By the end of turn one they were poised to move towards the defensive line.

Braves across the stream

The Provincial defenders spread out on the western approaches and began to open fire on the ground recently cleared by the loggers. Minor casualties were inflicted but the Indians pressed forward. The first charge was valiantly held by the Militia but a second charge from the flank routed these poorly trained men.

Provincials reloading desperately

Meanwhile Rangers advanced up on the hill to face the Canadians. A series of shots from the French drove the rangers back into the farm stead.

The second ranger unit deployed along the wall and engaged the Indians crossing the field.

On the Wall

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Firing in the fields

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The Indians who routed the Militia quickly set fire to the first farmhouse building ( their objective was to set fire to all three buildings then beat a hasty retreat)

Cabin on fire (with flashing lights !)

With Indians charging the Rangers behind the stone wall a bloody melee ensued. Against all the odds the Rangers held firm winning and driving back the bloodthirsty natives.

The warband moved forward and set fire to the second building but were confronted by the line of redcoats appearing in the nick of time. A firing line opened up with a volley and several braves went to meet their maker. With over half the attacking force lying dead or driven from the field Morale checks were conducted across the raiding force. They held but it was all too late, the redcoats had arrived in time.

With two out of three buildings on fire and no means to reach the third building the game was declared as a draw

Some observations

Troops move very quickly across the board and combat is fast and frenetic. We certainly felt the game had the right feel.

Musket fire is a bit haphazard with cover a welcome benefit for defenders. Unless you are at extremely close range do not expect musketry to decimate targets (unless lucky).

Rifles are great for long range shooting but the jury is out on whether their slow reloads (two actions as opposed to one) actually pay off. Once combat gets in close the Rifles become a liability. Perhaps the table we were fighting had too much cover?

It’s fair to say that some of the dice rolling in our game was extreme, on one occasion a ranger unit was attacked in melee by twice its number of Indians. Said Rangers not only drove off the charge the following round they counter charged and routed the Indian force.

With hindsight the points distribution of forces should not have been even. The attackers with a 50% stronger force would have been a better option. Next time round we will use the ‘hidden rules’, plus weather and time of day ...these may make the Indians job a little easier and truer of their raiding nature.

The deck contains three random events – in hindsight I think there are too many so we will probably reduce these to one or two maximum.

The game fought over a 5ft x 5ft table lasted about 2 hours and great fun was had by all.